Charles Hawley is the founder and director of the No Boyz Allowed Basketball League in Elizabeth, NJ. Hawley developed his love for basketball while playing at St. Patrick's Middle School. He played in high school and later for Champlain College. There he was introduced to new basketball philosophies and was able to learn a new system.

Hawley explained, "My focus remained with practice, incorporating technical skills, and gaining more efficient shooting form and style. During this time I paid attention to the coaching style and the detailed nature of my coach who left little room for error."

From these experiences, Hawley decided to continue with basketball. He became the founder and program director for Team Freckles, where he head coached teams. He is also the assistant varsity coach for The Patrick School girls' basketball team. Hawley shared, "I have discovered that I enjoy setting goals for myself. I like holding myself accountable for reaching my goals. That's a big part of who I am. I like to challenge myself whether on the court playing, on the sideline coaching games, or while on the court teaching others the game of basketball. I like holding myself and young people to high standards." These beliefs have helped him to help his players progress to high levels.

In March of 2010, Harris-Mapp was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 32. She founded this corporation in order to educate both women and men under the age of 40 of the importance of self-examination to detect breast cancer. Her ultimate goal was for people to understand that "1 Touch" during a self-breast examination can save lives. Before she passed away on March 14, 2012, she was quoted saying, "I hope to unite a group of people who can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer... my goal is to unite a group of people whose presence will make a difference; whose voices will be heard and whose faces will be recognized."

Charles Hawley was inspired and motivated by this dream and stepped up to be one of those to make a difference. He formed the No Boyz Allowed League with the goals of bringing attention to Harris-Mapp's dream, raising money for the fight against breast cancer, providing girls with the opportunity to play basketball in an organized setting, and bringing attention to those playing for possible college scholarships.

There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it. -Napoleon Hill

"The quality of life is what we at the No Boyz Allowed Basketball League respect and value. This purpose of this league is not only to assist in sustaining the gift and appreciation of life, but to also provide an opportunity to enhance opportunities for girls' basketball players. What inspired this league was the loss of someone special [La'Tasha Harris-Mapp]. This woman valued life and touched so many people. She will never know how much she touched my life and I will never let her death and dream go without meaning and cause. Although I will never have the opportunity to know her special 'touch' in my life, if we work together we can all touch the lives of others through awareness and treatment of such a fatal disease," explained Charles Hawley.

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Reggie Malz is a teacher for children with special needs. She has one young adult book published called A World of Misfortune. On the side, she runs a non-profit organization for youth basketball, called the North Jersey Blast. As the founder, administrative director, and a head coach in the program, Reggie is familiar with the issues that plague youth sports today. Please contact Reggie with your feedback.